ECONOMIC SURVEY 2009-10

The Economic Survey for 2009-10 states that the ultimate objective of development planning is human development or increased social welfare and well being of the people of a nation. This survey points out that as per the UNDP Human Development Report, 2009, the Human Development Index(HDI) for India in 2007 was 0.612, with improvement in HDI for India being better than for most comparable countries. This survey goes on to state that while the trend indicating improvement in HDI is heartening, there is no room for complacency, as India is still in the medium Human Development category.

India’s commitment towards increased social welfare and well being of its people can be gauged by the massive increase in the share of Central Govt. Expenditure on social services including rural development. This amount (both Plan and Non Plan) has increased from 10.46 per cent in 2003-04 to 19.46 per cent in 2009-10 (BE). Central support for social programmes has continued to expand in various forms although most social-sector subjects fall within the purview of the States.

Several poverty-alleviation and employment-generation programmes are being implemented by the Government. In the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), during the year 2009-10, 4.34 crore households have been provided employment. Out of the 182.88 crore person days created under the scheme during this period. 29 per cent and 22 per cent were for the SC and ST population respectively and 50 per cent for women. In Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar yojana (SGSY), up to December 2009, 36.78 lakh self help groups (SHGs) had been formed and 132.81 lakh swarozgaris have been assisted with a total investment of Rs.30,896.08 crore. In Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY), which the Government has recently revamped, during 2009-10 as reported by States/UTs, 28,613 urban poor have been assisted to set up individual enterprises, 13,453 urban poor women have been assisted in setting up group enterprises, 27,463 urban poor women have been assisted through a revolving fund for thrift and credit activities and 85,185 urban poor have been imparted skill training.

The Government has taken many measures for expansion in the scope and coverage of social security scheme for unorganised workers to assure them minimum level of social protection. In the Aam Adami Bima Yojana up to September 2009, 81.99 lakh lives have been insured. As part of the Rashtriya Swasthaya Bima Yojana more than 97 lakh smart cards have been issued upto January 12, 2010. The Unorganised Workers Social Security Act 2008 came into force with effect from May 16, 2009, under the aegis of which the National Social Security Board has been constituted. The Board has made some recommendations regarding extension of social security schemes to certain additional segments of unorganized workers

FOR MORE READING